The SDLS web pages are divided in three areas:

1. The left-hand panel shows the system menu.
2. The central panel shows query results, data, metadata and unstructured data.
3. The right-hand panel shows forms for refining queries or lists of related data links

The system structure is concentric; this means that Areas contain Projects, that contain Lines, that contain Files. Within each level, cursor-sensitive links are provided in the left-hand menu panel to jump to a different level (marked in blue) or return you to a parent Line, Project or Area (marked in red). Certain common precomputed solutions are provided to speed up the system usage, but any specific query can be submitted, and, if no precomputed solution is available, your request will be processed on the fly. In this case a smart server-side caching utility will be activated to improve system performance. When metadata are too verbose they are hidden to avoid cluttering the page. In this case a [+] mark allows them to be shown in full. To hide them again click on the [-] mark.

Whereas the SDLS website is designed to use SVG vector graphics (see below), if SVG is not available, or the user prefers not to install the plug-in, then normal pixel graphics are available by un-checking the SVG box at login. In this case the maps will show not only the seismic lines - and also the names of the seismic lines - but not be interactive. Individual lines can then be selected from the list in the righthand panel. Since, in this mode, in areas where there is a dense concentration of lines, over-writing of line names may make the maps fairly cluttered and difficult to read, it is recommended that the SVG plug-in be installed for a more satisfactory veiwing of the site.

SVG is a language for describing two-dimensional graphics and graphical applications in XML. It is an open standard created by the World Wide Web Consortium. In our case it allows interactive seismic line selection from a geographic map. SVG support is native in some browsers (Firefox, Opera) but not all its features are available. Therefore it is recommended (as of 30/7/2006) to use Adobe SVG plugin (hints on plugin installation can be found.....here) in that it provides a standard support to any browser....read more on SVG

The system menu can be found on the left hand panel of the web pages. It is automatically updated to provide full access to the system functionalities and allows at any level (area, project...) to return to the above level or dig into a more specific selection.